vasomotor

adjective va·so·mo·tor \ ˌvā-zə-ˈmō-tər \

Definition of vasomotor

: of, relating to, or being nerves or the centers (as in the medulla oblongata or spinal cord) from which they arise that regulate the amount of blood passing to a particular body part or organ by controlling the internal diameter of blood vessels

Origin and Etymology of vasomotor

vaso- + ²motor, after French vaso-moteur

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1865

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

vasomotor

adjective va·so·mo·tor \ ˌvā-zō-ˈmōt-ər \

medical Definition of vasomotor

: of, relating to, affecting, or being those nerves or the centers (as in the medulla and spinal cord) from which they arise that supply the muscle fibers of the walls of blood vessels, include sympathetic vasoconstrictors and parasympathetic vasodilators, and by their effect on vascular diameter regulate the amount of blood passing to a particular body part or organ